English / Italian Bi-lingual Business Development Manager

Positive Luxury is seeking a confident, experienced bi-lingual Business Development Manager as part of our growing business development team. Your main goal will be to develop a client base of luxury organisations and awareness of the Butterfly Mark certification, with a particular focus on English-speaking markets and Italy. Leveraging our unique four-part methodology spanning, ESG+ Butterfly Mark certification, trust-building and future-proofing, you will develop new partnerships with luxury brands, suppliers and retailer, and deliver health revenue growth into the Positive Luxury community.

The role will require you to be highly organised and motivated with excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to work under pressure within tight deadlines. The successful candidate must be able to show a proven track record of selling to senior management, increasing sales revenues and meeting or exceeding personal targets. This role will require you to work with flexibility, energy, and commitment. The ideal candidate will be somebody with first-hand knowledge of ESG practice and a passion for sustainability and luxury.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Research, identify and develop strong business relationships of luxury brands, suppliers and retailers
• Develop a strong pipeline of small to large sized organisations and efficiently manage prospects throughout the sales cycle to closing
• Interact confidently, consultatively and professionally in sales meetings via phone, video or face-to-face meetings, and demonstrate excellent negotiating skills
• Meet personal sales targets and be a key team member working towards Positive Luxury’s annual sales and revenue targets
• Update and maintain client databases and CRM systems and ensure accurate reporting through pipeline mapping
• Work closely with the Development Director and within the Business Development team and build strong working relationships with all company colleagues
• Work collaboratively with the account management team to onboard new clients and deliver outstanding client services from the start of their journey with Positive Luxury
• Demonstrate and maintain a passion towards, and an up-to-date understanding of sustainability practice and trends through ongoing research and analysis to support the ESG+ assessment proposition
• Observe and understand the changing dynamics of the luxury sustainability landscape within the PL sectors and regions and their relation to the Butterfly Mark assessment proposition.
• Demonstrate detailed understanding of any competitors to PL and their value proposition and differentiators.
• Support the organisation at events and/or trade shows as required, and other community-enhancing activities
• Adhere to company policies, procedures, culture and business ethics

KEY ATTRIBUTES

• Education to a University degree level
• Bi-lingual, ideally a native English speaker with full oral and written Italian language proficiency
• A minimum of 7 years proven sales experience, preferably in sustainability and/or ESG practice or in the luxury industry
• Experience of consultative selling and excellent negotiating skills
• Experience writing and pitching proposals and presentations to senior management and leadership teams
• Target-driven, ability to self-manage, organise and solutions-oriented
• Motivated by securing new business, positive, resilient, and a determination to close out deals
• High energy, good communicator, proactive and optimistic approach to sales with excellent organisational skills and a strong attention to detail
• Highly collaborative team player with a mindset of continuous improvement
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills, able to communicate effectively with individuals across all levels
• Capacity to work in a high-growth, fast-paced SME environment
• Experience within a global organisation would be an advantage
• Demonstrable interest in sustainability and the luxury industry and ideally practical experience in one of the verticals we support: fashion & accessories, jewellery & watches, beauty & fragrance, premium drinks, interiors & living and travel & leisure

COMPENSATION & CULTURE

• Base salary + Commission OTE £55k+ depending on experience and track record
• Enrolment in the company’s annual incentive scheme, including individual commission scheme and company bonus
• 30 days holiday minimum, including UK bank and public holidays, up to 36 per annum
• Pension contributions  
• PerkBox membership, including allowance of 50 points per month
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Charlie HR Perks at Work
• Cycle to work scheme
• Fresh fruit delivered weekly
• Bi-monthly study halls to further your sustainability knowledge
• Monthly town halls & quarterly strategy reviews for transparency on performance and projects

ABOUT US

Positive Luxury’s mission is to shape a sustainable future for luxury by redefining the business model and rebuilding consumer trust. Since 2011 we have been helping luxury businesses accelerate adaptation to the new climate economy. Our assessment and certification programme is the only one designed for the specific practices and material risks of the luxury industry. The Butterfly Mark, a trust mark of excellence hard-won by the companies that bear it, is tangible, independent evidence to consumers and other stakeholders that a luxury business is operating in line with the highest standards of sustainability across the entire value chain.

OUR FUTURE

When you join Positive Luxury, you join a small but growing team of luxury and sustainability experts working together to create a culture that values purpose, collaboration, excellence, and optimism above all else. Entering a phase of rapid growth and transformation, Positive Luxury is the ideal environment for those who want to work at the forefront of cultural and economic change. We will encourage you to exercise initiative in an environment where your character as well as your ideas are valued.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME

Positive Luxury is an equal opportunity employer, diverse and inclusive. With ESG at the heart of our business proposition, we are committed to recruiting, employing, training, compensating, and promoting regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, national origin, disability, age, and other protected status. We aim to be the place where a diverse mix of talented people work together to make the greatest possible positive impact on nature and society.

To be considered for this role at Positive Luxury you must have a UK passport or be entitled to work and remain in the UK indefinitely. If you require additional equipment or support to participate in the job application or interview process, please let us know by contacting careers@positiveluxury.com.